In 2002, PlayGround launched its first full-length play commissioning programs, the June Anne Baker Prize and the PlayGround Fellowship. The June Anne Baker Prize, established by PlayGround supporter John H. Gilman in memory of his late wife, honors the top female playwright each year, representing a gifted new comedic or political voice for the stage, and includes a full-length play commission. The PlayGround Fellowship honors a distinguished PlayGround alumnus and also includes a full-length play commission. PlayGround additionally awards three Alumni Commissions per year to previously commissioned PlayGround playwrights. The resulting new works are presented as public staged readings as part of The Best of PlayGround Festival.
In 2006, PlayGround launched its Commissioning Initiative, through which PlayGround expanded its commissioning efforts to five per year and began supporting full production through strategic partnerships and a co-production fund.
2008-09 Commissions
All 2008-09 commissions will be presented to the public as staged readings during the 2009 Best of PlayGround Festival at Thick House ($10 suggested donation at door; no reservations required). The final schedule will be set by April 1, 2009.
Postgrad (or the Odyssey Years) by Lauren Yee, directed
by Mark Routhier
Accidents by Daniel Heath, directed by Barbara Oliver
Terror, Astonishment, Love by Evelyn Jean Pine, directed
by Jessica Heidt
Mushroom Boy by Brady Lea, directed by Chris Smith
Lolita Roadtrip by Trevor Allen, directed by Rob Melrose
For complete play descriptions, click here. To sign up for updates on these readings and other festival activities through PlayGround's monthly email newsletter, click here.
For more information on these or other PlayGround-commissioned plays, contact PlayGround Artistic Director Jim Kleinmann.
June Anne Baker Prize
2008: Lauren Yee
2007: Evelyn Pine
2006: Brady Lea
2005: Geetha Reddy
2004: Maria Rokas
2003: Martha Soukup
2002: Kristina Goodnight
PlayGround Fellowship
2008: Daniel Heath
2007: Molly Rhodes
2006: Tom Swift
2005: Aaron Loeb
2004: Kenn Rabin
2003: Trevor Allen 2002: Garret Jon Groenveld
Alumni Commissions
2008: Trevor Allen, Brady Lea, Evelyn Jean Pine2007: Garret Jon Groenveld, Geetha Reddy, Martha Soukup
2006: Garret Jon Groenveld, Aaron Loeb, Geetha Reddy